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Neferet

"So, old woman, what do you think it is about your blood that causes it to be so rancid that my children cannot feed on it?"

Sylvia Redbird&039;s head turned slowly Her eyes were glie of Darkness

"Your puppets cannot feed from me because I had time to prepare myself for you"

The old woering within it that surprised Neferet alht You are oh, so special and beloved by your Goddess But wait," Neferet spoke with mock shock "If you are really so special and beloved, why are you here, being tormented by my children? Why does your Goddess not save you?"

"You naili Had you asked I would have named myself valued by the Great Earth Mother No more No less"

"If this is how your Great Earth Mother treats a valued child who is crying out for her help, then oddesses?" Neferet sipped on her blood-laced wine She wasn&039;t sure why she felt the need to goad the old woh to satisfy the immortal, but they weren&039;t Neferet hated that Sylvia did not screa Since Kalona had fled, Sylvia had even stoppedin pain Now if she wasn&039;t silent, the old woing

"I have not asked the Great Earth Mother for help I have only asked for her blessing, and that she has gifted ! You&039;re inside a cage of Darkness that is killing you slowly and painfully What are you, a Catholic saint? Shall I crucify you upside down and cut off your head?" Neferet laughed at her own joke, but even to her the sound was hollow I need adulation and veneration! How can I reign as Goddess without worshippers!

"You killed the professors"

Sylvia hadn&039;t asked a question, but Neferet felt the need to answer her "Of course I did"

"Why?"

"To create chaos between humans and vampyres, of course"

"But how does that benefit you?"

"Chaos burns-people, vaes from those ashes controls the world I will be that victor" Feeling s and empowered, Neferet sh Priestess of the House of Night You were beloved by your Goddess Why cast that aside?"

Neferet narrowed her eyes at Sylvia "Power does not equate to control How much power does your Great Earth Goddess wield if she cannot do so as simple as control whether or not I take your life? I learned long ago that control is true power"

Sylvia shook her head, finally looking and sounding as weary as she should be "You cannot truly control anyone except yourself, Tsi Sgili It ht appear otherwise, but we all make our own choices"

"Really? Let us test that theory I assu expectantly for Sylvia&039;s response

"I would" Sylvia&039;s words were a whisper

"Well, I believe I can control whether you live or die Now, let&039;s see who has the most power" Neferet raised her wrist With a quick, practiced h the vein that pulsed near the surface there "I groeary of this conversation" Neferet&039;s tone changed to singsong as her blood flowed

"Coe

Use e!"

Her loyal tendrils of Darkness slithered to her, eagerly feeding from her wrist Refortified, they circled back to Sylvia The old woman lifted her arms defensively, but as she did so several of her bracelets broke, raining turquoise and silver through the closing bars of her cage, and falling har pool of her blood

When the old woain, her words were cut short as pulsing tendrils filled the skin left naked and unprotected on her arasped in pain renewed Neferet laughed

Kalona

Hued as the world aged Man had conquered the sky, and yet unless there was a brilliant sunset or a full, glealanced above their heads Kalona did not understand it, but he was grateful for it He circled the Mayo, sighting Damien, Stevie Rae, Shaylin, and Shaunee Then he returned to the ONEOK Plaza building, landing beside Thanatos

"The four are in place"

Thanatos nodded "Good Zoey has gone within It is tiin" She reached within her volu and a long box of wooden"Salt to bind?"

"Indeed, it is a large building I need a lot of salt"

The i that he&039;d actually come to appreciate Thanatos&039;s dry sense of hu as well"

"Luck? I didn&039;t think i a huers and toes and wish each other good luck I a suit," he said "Plus, I believe we can use all the help we can get If that means a little luck, then I will take it"

"As will I" Thanatos held out her hand to hiht, I know that you will keep your oath to h me, to Nyx I wish you to blessed be, Kalona"

He grasped her forearm and bowed his head to her respectfully "Merry h Priestess"

Kalona took to the sky as Thanatos crossed Fifth Street and entered the dark alley where Da on one of the east wall&039;s stone buttress, Kalona watched from above He was surprised that Thanatos&039;s voice carried so clearly to hiilance The power in the High Priestess&039;s spell was tangible, and if he could hear it, so too ht&039;s circle I call

protect, defend, be present-hear all"

Thanatos struck theDamien&039;s somber face Stark stood in front of hih Priestess retraced her steps,quickly out of the alley and to the front of the Mayo Hand buried in her robes, Thanatos was spilling a trail of salt The lights on the decorative foyer entrance caught the tiny crystals, and fro a path of diamonds behind her

Thanatos walked to the s The young fledgling had placed her large purse before her, so that it blocked the view of her red pillar candle froht&039;s circle I plead

vigilant, strong, to fulfill our need"

The hting the red candle in an audible whoosh!

Kalona scowled It was good that the ele, but he wished they would be less noisy about it

With salt trailing her, Thanatos walked quickly around the building to the sidewalk that ran beside the street called Cheyenne As on the alley side of the building, there were buttresses halfway up its nine stories, and that here Kalona perched, gazing down at the serow Shaylin had hidden herself so well that Thanatos almost walked past her Kalona nodded to hi," he ift that one"

"Coht&039;s circle I ask,

Floash, fill, empower-this is your task"

The blue candle didn&039;t explode to life, as had Shaunee&039;s fire, but it did burn steadily, and Kalona could s up to hi the High Priestess

Stevie Rae waited with Rephai Thanatos had to climb down a steep, dark stairway and pick her way around vans that waited toclosely Rephaim protects his Stevie Rae, and I protect ht was as silent as death herself as Thanatos stepped before Stevie Rae

"Coht&039;s circle I beseech,

Support, ground, hold confidence within reach"

The green candle sputtered to flalimpse of Rephaim&039;s upturned face The boy looked steady and sure, as if he believed there was no possibility of the night&039;s outco positive

Kalona wished he had his son&039;s faith

He flew up, keeping Thanatos in sight as the High Priestess co down the alley fro quickly and silently past Da in a trail of salt When she reached the front of the building again, Thanatos hesitated only long enough to glance up Kalonato the top of the ONEOK Plaza and perching there Froh Priestess enter the Mayo She disappeared for a few ht of her dark cloak as she joined Zoey and Aphrodite at their booth near the restaurant&039;s large picture

Kalona could not hear her words, but he whispered the completion of the eleht&039;s circle I cry

Endow, infill, on your ht we rely"